It isn’t easy to get a feel for a bike from geometry charts and images alone, much less an accurate comparison between similar models. For example, take the Ibis Mojo HDR 650B, Pivot Mach 6, and Santa Cruz Bronson Carbon. All three of these carbon, mid-wheeled trail-shredding machines have similar geometry, suspension, and intended usage, yet each is a distinctly different beast. Not coincidentally, these three frames are the basis for our upcoming 27.5-inch Featured Bikes Program this year. And since you may not have the luxury of logging hours on each bike, I’ve taken the liberty of doing precisely that. [...]

As you surely know, tomorrow marks the beginning of the 97th Giro d’Italia in Belfast, Ireland. Oddly, though, tomorrow also kicks off the Giro’s remembrance and celebration of Marco Pantani. One stage will follow his old training route, while two mountain stages at Oropa and Monte Campione are dedicated to two of Pantani’s greatest victories. On one hand, the decision delivers a moving sentiment for a legendary figure, but to be perfectly honest, RCS Sport’s decision to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Pantani’s death leaves me with more disappointment than warm fuzzies. To some degree, the decision embodies the turmoil [...]

Foreword from the Editor In case you haven’t noticed, we’re back in the business of cycling sponsorship, and we couldn’t be happier with the Backcountry Bike Team. Accompanying the Goat, you’ll find the Competitive Dots, but outside of the banality of a simple uniform, the team has been crushing at every race this season. Evelyn Dong took 3rd at Sea Otter, 5th in Fontana, 2nd at Bonelli Park, and just recently, 3rd at the Whiskey 50. And while she’s just come back to racing for the year, Chloe Woodruff has already taken 4th at Sea Otter and top honors at [...]

Whether you’re a racer looking to replicate race conditions in training, or a coach seeking new ways to help your athletes, motorpacing is a proven step on the path to a successful season. In this piece, Dr. Allen Lim of Skratch Labs takes you through the basics of motorpacing, showing you how to perform this powerful training exercise both effectively and safely. Why It all comes down to specificity. There’s simply no other way to replicate both the speed and the power that an athlete will encounter within the peloton. When you’re racing in the peloton, your power profile is [...]

I don’t care what site or magazine it is, 90 to 95% of published reviews are based on gear that a writer get’s for free — it’s a little ugly, but that’s just the business end of the matter. Sometimes it works out and we’ll test a product that we actually like, and sometimes the product totally sucks and we don’t even bother reviewing it. And on an even more rare occasion, a writer will actually buy a product for personal use, and loving it so much, will feel compelled to spread the word. Today, I am that writer, and [...]

Most athletes are used to eating gels or energy blocks. A sticky bite uses everyday ingredients to deliver that sweet kick in a more palatable way. Even more importantly, the higher moisture content in the carbs allows the body to more quickly absorb energy than a highly concentrated sports nutrition product. Chocolate and Sea Salt Sticky Bites are an athlete favorite for their one-bite combo of salty sweetness. In this new video, Chef Biju Thomas shows you how to make them. Watch the video and then try this recipe yourself. Related Articles - Allen Lim: Hydration Science - Cooking From [...]

Friends Forever Over the course of this year’s Spring Classics, we witnessed the real fruits of friendship between Luca Paolini and Pipo. And aside from whatever’s going on here, the incident at Roma Maxima was easily the best 52nd place line crossing of all time. Friends Forever. instagram.com/pippopozzato The Wedding Crashers Cannondale Pro Cycling making wedding crashing an art form on a “routine” training ride in Belgium a few weeks ago. At least it was good enough to make it into the local paper. I’m still torn on if this is the one of the most fun teams to be [...]

My first reaction to the Kitsbow A/M Shorts was, “wow,” which was immediately followed by a much louder, and more expletive-laden version of, “wow,” upon hearing the cost. There’s no two ways about it — they’re expensive. Over the years here at Competitive, I’ve become increasingly well accustomed to ever-more expensive bikes, clothing, and parts, but something about a pair of baggies breaking the $250 mark was different. That said, after a full year in these shorts, I’m able to say with confidence that, not only would I buy them again (if they wore out, but more on that later), but [...]

I can’t speak to the why exactly, but for some reason, I’ve been growing increasingly agitated with the debate surrounding doping. This unease is compounded by a myriad of issues, and the more that I delve into the lineage of the subject, the murkier every side’s logic becomes. It goes without saying that the history of drug use in cycling is staggeringly extensive, but I have a weary suspicion that most don’t realize just how far down the rabbit hole it goes. Do you have a cycling hero from before 1998? Well, if his name isn’t Greg LeMond or Bernard [...]

photos: Ben Kuhns Given the cycling industry’s track record, it’s easy to denounce star-shaped fasteners as a ploy to fuel capitalism. It’s easy to get a little agitated. Believe me, if you’ve found yourself stifled by the lack of a T25 during a hasty pre-ride adjustment or trailside repair, you’re not alone. So the question begs to be asked, “Is this a profit-driven inconvenience?” What? There’s a new fastener that forces the purchase of up-to date tools? Son-of-a-Corny Capitalist! Well, before we reach for Silca pumps, trail-tools, and polo mallets to storm the castle, let’s take a closer look, as the [...]

Photos: Ian Matteson, Jeff Stewart Imagine it: You tackle your favorite climb, and instead of turning around where the road ends, you keep going. With equal parts planning and bravado, the fiery question of what lies beyond is quelled. As a cyclist, you are now whole. Sure, that’s a glorified lens to gaze upon gravel through, but seriously, tell me that you don’t want a piece of this, mile after mile: Depending on your geography, there are probably plenty of fire/service roads around you that are easy to tackle on your everyday 25mm road rig. It’s like Tom Ritchey [...]

Photos: Ian Matteson Maybe you’re getting used to unusual gear being strapped, stretched, and ratcheted to the bodies of pro cyclists as they roll out for battle each year. Or maybe you aren’t. Regardless of the camp that you fall into, once you actually heft and test some of these space-exploration-looking items (e.g., current road helmets), you’ll begin to see exactly what lies beyond the veil. Such is the case with the POC Octal, or “POCtal” as I like to call it, which is the inaugural road release from the Swedish brand. Those in the snowsports arenas have long been [...]

For some, embrocation is the Belgian equivalent of Flubber — a nearly magical substance that breathes fire into the legs and courage into the heart. In reality, though, it’s a borderline toxic material that I’m frankly surprised isn’t flammable. It conjures many lyrical references — Ladytron’s “Destroy Everything You Touch” comes to mind, namely — but it’s to be handled with care, and really only to be used for racing. But if you’re like me, and you’re dead tired of wearing warmers on every ride, the late spring is the perfect environment for dry or wet weather embro’ application. Here’s [...]

- The end is nigh. Unlike last year’s faux resignation — a well-intended joke that no one found funny but me — this farewell note is real. For 16 years, my sense of being has been inseparable from my care for Competitive Cyclist. Now, after turning in my company Visa and my key card, I’m reminded of the famous Shakespeare quote, “Exit, pursued by a bear.” In stepping into a non-Competitive Cyclist world, my terror runs deep. Will I ever love anything as much again? My final act was to organize some jottings. They’re memories, really. Old ones and new ones, [...]

Photos: Michael Barry & Mike Barry Sr. We pulled up in the van midmorning, as steel barriers were being put in place to close off the course. Some of us were half asleep, our necks kinked against the windows, while others punched away at Game Boys and paged through cycling magazines. Nervous excitement spun in each of our minds for the day of racing ahead. Men wearing low-slung jeans and grimy T’s, with rolled cigarettes hanging from their lower lips, unloaded hundreds of galvanized steel barriers from flatbed trucks. The barricades lined the curbs of the town center criterium course, [...]

Photos: Garson Fields The Sea Otter Classic is a madhouse. Every year, the Laguna Seca Raceway is bombarded by hoards of industry types, representing the gamut from established players to startup brands. Not surprisingly, they’re all vying for the attention of the legions of bike fanatics that are also in attendance. Over the past week, I witnessed the RockShox Bluto and Borealis Echo both leading the charge of fat bikes departing the realm of snow, while E-bikes set upon solidifying their presence in the market. And while the latter’s sheer presence in the pits made the case, the proof came [...]

Johan Vansummeren Crash There really isn’t anything witty or profound to say about this — it’s pretty tragic, actually. Some, like Cancellara in the final kilometers of the 2013 Paris-Roubaix (6:45), use road furniture to their advantage. And some, like Vansummeren, are unfortunate enough to never see it coming. Here’s hoping that the spectator involved in this nasty crash has a speedy recovery. More on the story More Euro Than Human It’s hard to say whether the blood in this man’s veins is more akin to Hinault or Gallagher? After all, the idiocy of motorpacing at these speeds sans-helmet is one [...]

Paris Roubaix is a race of unknowns. What the riders can’t control, what looms in their futures, haunts them until the pop of the starter’s pistol. In the days prior to the race, they’ll check the weather repeatedly. Some will hope for rain so that the peloton is tamer and thins out quickly, while others will pray for sun so that the cobbles will be dry. The race is one of attrition, position, and luck. It requires preparation, mental resilience, and physical strength. It will create champions. It will shred skin, bruise, and break bodies. It will fuel dreams. It [...]

Table of Contents Osmosis & Semi-Permeable Membranes Osmoality Co-Transport of Water with Sodium and Glucose Water Alone Can Kill You Eat Real Food Hydrate First & You May Not Need to Eat The Egg Model Less Is More Two frequently asked questions that we get are 1) why our Exercise Hydration Mix is only 80 Calories per 500 ml (16.9 ounce) serving and 2) how to get more calories in during long endurance events with our relatively low calorie sports drink. The short answer to the first question is that our Exercise Hydration Mix is only 80 Calories per serving [...]

Spring is the time of year that we shake out the cobwebs, slather on the embrocation, and get out on the rides that we’ve been dreaming about all winter. But it’s impossible to ignore how early spring plays by a different set of rules. And when coupled with high-speed descending, you have a rather high potential for disaster. To lower this margin of error, I’ve compiled a list of problems, and more importantly, solutions that have been plaguing me so far this year. Road Conditions If your favorite mountain roads have been covered in snow throughout the winter, the following [...]

One of the shared, universal experiences in cycling is beating your own limits. Last season, Mavic’s communications manager for the USA, Zack Vestal, remembered a particular long ride at age 18, one that pushed beyond his limits at the time. Thinking of that ride 20 years later, he focused on breaking a new barrier by riding double the distance. Enjoy the views of Colorado as he traces a 236-mile loop, digging deep to achieve the dream before dark. And you, what limitations do you dream of exceeding in 2014? Photo Diary by Christophe Margot On a secteur of gravel — [...]

In this day and age, I challenge you to find a proponent, a loyalist, hell, even a those-days-were-rad supporter of 27-inch road wheels. I’ll save you some time, though. You won’t find a soul, because that particular argument was killed, exhumed, and had a stake driven through its heart for good measure by the mid-Eighties. But you’re probably wondering, “Why am I bringing road up in this conversation at all?” Well, because those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. You see, the world has been at war over wheel and tire sizes since the very advent [...]

Words: Colin O Brien, Photos: Paolo Ciaberta Paolo was never a superstar on the bike, but he was valued by those he worked with. He enjoyed a long career with some of the sport’s top teams, and didn’t retire until he was 37, despite having just a single professional win to his name. A support rider, then, a gregario… but not a domestique. Having met him, you could never call him a domestique. Imperfect synonyms are horrible things, especially when they’ve been adopted into English from different languages. In this case, both ostensibly signify the same kind of cyclist, of [...]

This is the classic rice cake originally developed by Skratch Labs founder, Allen Lim PhD. This sweet and savory portable has become an athlete favorite and remains one of our most popular recipes! Chef Biju takes you through all of the critical steps to making the perfect rice cakes. Ingredients - Bacon (as much as you’re comfortable with) - Eggs (around four or five) - Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce) - Olive Oil - Medium Grain Calrose Rice - Brown Sugar - Corse Sea Salt Directions - Get your rice going in the rice cooker. To make the perfect [...]